Chapter Description

This sample chapter from Cisco Press compares differences between the router CLI and the Catalyst 4000/5000/6000 family. It also describes the command line interface including aspects like command line recall, command editing, uploading and downloading code images and configuration files, and finally provides an overview of the menu driven configuration for the other Catalysts.

Redundant Supervisor ModulesDiscusses how to implement
redundant Supervisor modules to ensure system operation in the event of a module
failover.

Configuring Other CatalystsProvides a quick overview of the
configuration methods for the 1900/2800 and the 3000 series of Catalyst
switches.

Configuring the Catalyst

Users familiar with Cisco routers exercise a command line interface (CLI)
embedded in the IOS. The CLI characteristics are seen across nearly all of the
router product line. However, most Catalysts CLIs differ from those found on
Cisco routers. In fact, the Catalyst family has several CLIs based upon the
model origins. The Catalyst 4000/5000/6000 series differs from the 3000 series,
the 1900,2800 and the 8500 series. This chapter compares differences between the
router CLI and the Catalyst 4000/5000/6000 family. It also describes the command
line interface including aspects like command line recall, command editing,
uploading and downloading code images and configuration files. An overview of
the menu driven configuration for the other Catalysts is addressed in the last
section, Configuring Other Catalysts. Examples of configuring the
Catalyst 8500 series are included in Chapter 11, "Layer 3 Switching."
This chapter deals primarily, however, with the "XDI" interface
used by the Catalyst 4000/5000/6000 family.

NOTE

Cisco folklore has it that XDI is the name of a UNIX-like kernel purchased
for use in equipment that evolved into the Catalyst 4000, 5000, and 6000
products of today. The XDI CLI is often referred to as "CatOS."

The Catalyst product family evolution does not have the same roots as the
Cisco router products. Cisco's history begins with the development of
routers to interconnect networks. As the router family increased, a number of
differences between the early models and the later became evident. Particularly
with the release of 9.1x, the command line interface vastly differed for the
IOS. But the IOS essentially retained the same look and feel after that point
across all of the router family. Users of the Catalyst on the other hand may
encounter multiple CLIs dependent upon the model used. This occurs not because
Cisco changed its mind on how to present the CLI, but because some of the
products were acquired technologies with a previously installed user base. For
example, some of the Catalysts such as the 1900 and 2800 came from Grand
Junction and have their own configuration methods. Some come from Kalpana, such
as the Catalyst 3000, and use a different menu structure. Some were developed by
Cisco. For example, the 8500 and the 2900XL, and use IOS type configurations.
The Catalyst 5000 family originated with Crescendo. When Cisco acquired
Crescendo, a significant user base already familiar with the XDI/CatOS
configuration modes existed. The Catalyst 5000 and 6000 series use a CLI which
differs from all of the others.

This chapter provides an overview for configuring the Catalyst
4000/5000/6000 series products. The CLI syntax and conventions are covered,
along with command recall and editing methods. Methods for storing and
retrieving configuration files images are also explained. Finally, configuring
and managing redundant supervisor modules in a Catalyst 5500/6000/6500 are
discussed.

Catalyst 5000/6000 CLI Syntax Conventions

All well-documented equipment uses a standard representation for interpreting
commands. The Catalyst is no exception. Cisco documents how to interpret the
printed commands of its documentation. Table 4-1 summarizes the command syntax
conventions used in the Catalyst documentation and in this book.

Table 4-1 Catalyst Syntax Conventions

Command Presentation

Interpretation

Boldface

Commands and keywords that are entered literally as shown are in
boldface.

Italic

Arguments for which you supply values are in italics.

[ ]

Elements in square brackets are optional.

{x | y | z}

Alternative required keywords are grouped in braces and separated by vertical
bars.

[x | y | z]

Optional alternative keywords are grouped in brackets and separated by
vertical bars.

String

A nonquoted set of characters. Do not use quotation marks around the string
or the string will include the quotation marks.